SOURCE: Vietnam Investment Review
A ceremony to announce the news was held on September 9 by the Plant Protection Department (PPD) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), and in collaboration with the Australian Embassy in Vietnam.
Authorities from both nations have completed the final procedures for licensing the import of passion fruit from Vietnam and plums from Australia. Pomelos from Vietnam and blueberries from Australia are next on the list of upcoming products for market access.
Fruit harvested from Vietnam and exported to Australia is subject to biosecurity requirements. To minimise pest risks associated with passion fruit exports, risk management measures must be implemented to ensure growing areas, production zones, and facilities remain pest-free.
The PPD is committed to advising farmers and local authorities on production practices that meet requirements, further leveraging the advantages of passion fruit as a product.
Beyond promoting market access for passion fruit and plums, the two countries will continue to finalise the last stages to introduce Vietnamese pomelos and Australian blueberries to each other’s markets.
According to vtv.vn, Andrew Goledzinowski, Australian Ambassador to Vietnam, speaking at the announcement ceremony, said, “Agricultural trade relations, including fruit, between the two countries have been continuously developing. High-quality fruits from each country have increasingly appeared in the other’s market”
In addition to jointly announcing the import of passion fruit and plums, the Australian Ambassador to Vietnam mentioned that Australia is supporting Vietnam in implementing 200,000 hectares of quality, low-emission rice production as part of the government and MARD’s one million ha rice project.
Agricultural trade cooperation between Vietnam and Australia has nearly doubled in the past two years, reaching about $43 billion. Currently, Vietnam is Australia’s second-largest trading partner after China in agricultural exports. Vietnam is also a major partner with numerous frozen and processed agricultural products exported to Australia. The opening of agricultural markets is showing positive signs due to effective exchanges and collaborations between technical staff from both sides.
Huynh Tat Dat, director of the PPD, said, “Vietnamese fruits are exported to over 60 countries and territories. Vietnamese passion fruit is also being exported to markets with strict requirements on quality, quarantine, and food safety such as France, Germany, the Netherlands, South Korea, Taiwan, Switzerland, and Australia.”
With export advantages and market potential, passion fruit is providing growers with a considerable income source. It is one of Vietnam’s highest-value export fruits. Over the past five years, the production volume and export value of Vietnamese passion fruit have increased by over 300 per cent.
The area under passion fruit cultivation is trending upward, with over 12,000 hectares, mainly concentrated in the northern mountainous regions. Currently, many Central Highlands provinces are also focusing on expanding passion fruit cultivation areas.
Recently, Vietnam has focused on improving quality, implementing chain production, and ensuring traceability of passion fruit, concentrating on two varieties: yellow and purple passion fruit.